Why Many Succeed but Few Last: Rethinking Success Through God’s Lens

Why Many Succeed but Few Last: Rethinking Success Through God’s Lens

Success is one of the most misunderstood ideas of our time.

We celebrate visibility, speed, numbers, and applause. We call people successful because they a
re loud, wealthy, trending, or admired. Yet quietly, many of these same people burn out, fall apart, lose their peace, or realise too late that what they built cannot sustain them.

This is why the idea of good and lasting success matters.

Not all success is good.
And not all success lasts.

Success That Looks Right but Ends Wrong

The world’s version of success is often built on urgency:

• Move fast

• Achieve quickly

• Secure results at all costs

But Scripture gives us a different framework.

“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” (Psalm 127:1)

This verse does not condemn labour. It questions who is leading it.

You can build something impressive and still build it in vain. You can achieve milestones and still miss purpose. You can win publicly and lose privately.

Good success is aligned.
Lasting success is sustained.

The Difference Between Achievement and Alignment

Achievement focuses on outcomes.
Alignment focuses on obedience.

God is not against progress, growth, or wealth. But He is deeply interested in order — the order of the heart, the motive behind the pursuit, and the foundation beneath the results.

“The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)

This verse introduces a critical filter: sorrow.

If what you are calling success is draining your soul, destroying your relationships, compromising your convictions, or pulling you away from God, then something is off — even if it looks impressive.

Good and lasting success does not require you to lose yourself to gain something else.

Why Many Build but Few Endure

One reason many people struggle to sustain success is because they start with the result, not the root.

God often begins in hidden places:

• character before capacity

• obedience before visibility

• stewardship before expansion

Joseph did not start in the palace.
David did not start on the throne.
Jesus did not start with crowds.

What lasted in their lives was built before it was announced.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)

There is a due time for lifting. Rushing it often shortens it.

Success That Serves, Not Just Shines

One of the clearest markers of godly success is impact beyond self.

When God blesses, it is rarely just for display. It is for stewardship.

“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)

Wealth, influence, and opportunity are tools — not trophies. They exist to serve a purpose bigger than personal comfort.

Good and lasting success:

• builds others

• honours God

• creates peace, not panic

• leaves a legacy, not just memories

Redefining the Goal

The goal is not to slow down ambition.
The goal is to anchor it.

Ask better questions:

• Is this success drawing me closer to God or further away?

• Can this be sustained without compromising my faith?

• If this grows, will my character grow with it?

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

This is not a rejection of ambition. It is a correction of order.

Closing it out.

Good and lasting success is not accidental.
It is intentional, rooted, and guided.

It may take longer.
It may look quieter at first.
But it endures.

And in the end, success that lasts is success that leaves you whole.